Archive for September, 2008

Last Sunday we participated in Baby Dedication at our church. It was a really cool experience, and I thought I would give a quick recap for those who weren’t able to be there, but have asked us about it (or demanded pictures…Lisa).

The parts of Baby Dedication that nobody else got to see were the preparations that Andrew and I went through before the actual Sunday of her dedication. As part of the process, they have you listen to three messages that talk about the importance of being intentional with what you want to teach your child, and the need to prioritize having a healthy marriage. Through these talks, we were encouraged and challenged to think about what really matters most, and what things we want to focus on as we raise Audrey. We came up with a list of 5 values that we want to model and teach her (in no particular order):

Respect

Forgiveness

Generosity

Integrity

Bravery

We realize that these are not things that she will learn through a lesson that we teach, or by simply telling her that they are important. These values are ones that are passed down through modeling them, and that she will pick up by watching us (that’s both convicting and motivating for us).

I think some of the most interesting conversations that Andrew and I had were around the idea of bravery. This value came from a talk that I heard years ago where the speaker said, “We don’t need to be focused on raising a generation of ‘good boys’ and ‘good girls’. We need to be raising a generation of kids who scare the hell out of Hell”. His point was that we need to be raising the next generation to be bold and brave in their faith. I pray that Audrey will grow up to be a person who “scares the hell out of Hell”.

There was a part of the program where we got to talk at our table and share these values and ideas with our friends and family, and explain some of the things that we had committed to do in our family to raise Audrey in a way that we hope leads her into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Next, there was a time of prayer at our table where our family and friends got to pray for us (this was my favorite part of the program, and it was just really special to hear the things that they were lifting up to God on our behalf). They ended with some music and a slide show with pictures of each of the families and their babies.

Once it was all done, we enjoyed cupcakes and punch and got to chat with some of the other families that were there. All in all, it was a very memorable and special time for our family! Here are some of the pictures.

So, today I turned 30 and I honestly think it has been my best birthday ever! This morning Andrew came in singing Happy Birthday. Five minutes later, he came back in the room with Dino, and sang Happy Birthday in Spanish (Dino is our 5lb Chihuahua with obvious Mexican roots).

When I got to work, I took Audrey to her classroom and she had “made” me a birthday gift (with the help of Tatum and Dee Dee). A foot print butterfly with a poem that Tatum and Dee Dee wrote…how cute is that!!!

When I got to my desk, there were sweet cards, balloons, flowers, etc.!

For lunch, Kristen, Jill, and Emily took me to BluePointe. The food was fantastic, and of course, I love any excuse to hang out with those girls!!!

Then we got back to the office and everyone enjoyed fruit pizza that JoAnn made (it was a treat for the eyes and the tummy)!

Tonight, Andrew and I got to go out for dinner…child free! Matt (Andrew’s boss) and his family watched Audrey for us for the night. We have a delicious dinner at Grace 17.20 which is a GREAT restaurant!!! I got to sit on the patio and enjoy the beautiful weather, some amazing food, and the company of my favorite person!

Andrew's Burger

Yummy Crab Cake

There were some great gifts as well, but mostly I just loved getting to hang out with some of my favorite people (and clearly, there was a lot of good food too…did you notice I ate dessert 3 times?)! Thanks to everyone that made me feel so loved today through your calls, songs, food, gifts, time, etc. It was certainly a birthday to remember!!! If today was in any way a preview into my thirties…it’s going to be an amazing decade!!!

Today we had our 4 month check up with the doctor. Homegirl weighs 15lbs 2ozs and is 26 inches long. That’s double her birth weight! Can you imagine doubling your weight in 4 months??? Anyway, she’s healthy and happy. Loves talking all the time, rolling over, and sucking her thumb. Here are some recent pictures that I just think are cute. 🙂